New FIRE 2001 Testimonies

Following are some of the comments articulated by our New FIRE 2001 teams. As you can see, there was much enthusiasm and synergy for the renewed mission of the participants.

1. Sometimes we can know something without discovering it. My experience of New Fire was a journey of discovery of something I already knew. I had been aware of the importance of media and technology but hadn't had the time to discover how powerful an impact it can have. The New Fire program assembled a fabulous group of people and resources that enabled me to move into this new world and it Fired me up. (Jim Kemna, Diocese of Jefferson City)
   
   
2. New Fire is truly an experience I will never forget! I was surrounded by such exciting ideas and amazing people. I couldn't help but be inspired to try new and creative ways to minister! Our team arrived in Dayton with many tasks for our Archdiocese. New Fire gave us the fuel to accomplish our goal! The New Fire Team support staff are filled with the Holy Spirit! Thank you New Fire! (Rosalia Pacheco, Archdiocese of Santa Fe)
   
   
3. The experience at New Fire was the 'spur' our team needed to begin a project that we each knew needed to be done but none of us knew how to begin individually. New Fire helped us to form as a team, to clarify and state our goals and to inspire us to carry out our objective. (Pat Guentert, Diocese of Lexington)
   
   
4. This conference enabled me to plan and deliberate with the Office of Family Ministry and the Religious Education Office of my diocese. As a result I see a more unified approach of spreading our message. The technology aspects helped us to mold how we will approach people in the various parts of the diocese. For this, I cannot thank you enough. (Bernadette McManigal, Diocese of Lexington)
   
   
5. Wow! What a wonderfuly experience to have been a part of the New FIRE program. The sessions reinforced what I have believed and felt was necessary if the Church wishes to stay connected to its members.
   
   The wealth of experience and knowledge present in the learning center was incredible. It is not that often that an individual learner can have such wonderful resources available. Thank you and your cohorts for constructing a program that sets on fire the learner to go forth and face the "dragon of technology" and tame it (domesticate it) into a useful helper.
   
   When I saw the cartoon, "NON SEQUITUR"by Wiley, my thoughts went to the conference. Isn't it so true? We want individuals to be creative and to "think outside the box". Of course, the box is often defined. Leo Buscaglia's example of an elementary student who drew the tree as he experienced it learned to conform his creativity to fit the tree model of the teacher. Maybe this cartoon will become part of a future presentation???
   
   Lastly, and certainly not least among my feelings about the conference, I experienced the time as a retreat to reflect on how the gifts received from God through humans can bring us back to God. The spirituality that served as the foundation for the three days was a treak for me.
   
   May God continue to bless you, your staff, and the ministry of New FIRE! (John Berkbeugler, Diocese of Jefferson City)
   
   
6. New FIRE is just that...a time to kindle the passion for sharing the rickness of the Catholic faith through various media, especially electronic technology. To be a part of this program provided me with practical methods for delivery and facilitating faith exploration and growth through the use of technology. Though emphasis was on the use of technology, the importance of personal and public spirituality was a thread woven most effectively throughout the sessions. New Frontiers in Religious Education is a must for anyone in a religious education leadership role. (John Berkbuegler, Diocese of Jefferson City)
   
   
7. I found the workshop to be a thought provoking opportunity to engage the concepts of practice, pedagogy, and spirituality in the context of multimedia and tecnology. Additionally, the sessions and interaction offered a point of departure to begin to expand our perceptions of what "is" and what "could be." I left rejuvenated! (Denise Ward Hood, Diocese of Phoenix)
   
   
8. The New FIRE Conference has greatly broadened my perspective regarding the use of the internet for catechsis. Our team is excited about the potential for our Archdiocese to bring the classroom to our rural areas and to persons not able to travel to adult faith formation and ministry certification classes. We communicated the vision of New FIRE to our archdiocesan staff and now we are a VLCFF partner. (Pat McIntire, Archdiocese of Sante Fe)